Take It From: Boston's new IT GIRL, Olivia Culpo

Olivia Culpo, actress/model

Isn't she Lovely? Isn't she wonderful? (Stevie Wonder insider) And at 18, she's already living a life many girls her age could only dream of: She models for Maggie Inc; Boston's leading model and talent agency, she landed the cover of Stuff @ Nite's "Flirt Issue", crushed the competition for a role in Mark Wahlberg's upcoming movie TED, and she's popping up in Ads all over your computer screens! You'd think she'd be walking around with a big head (her head's actually the perfect size..). Nope, not at all. And when I asked her how she would describe an IT GIRL, she answered, "someone that others can look up to, admire and confide in". Never mentioned looks or style. Beautiful and modest? Can't get much better than that!

Check out what else Olivia had to say as I followed her into French Connection, one of her go-to shops on Newbury Street.

Olivia reacting to a text from the Casting Director of the upcoming movie, TED.  Looks Promising!   Photo: Me

Gilda: So you're originally from Cranston, Rhode Island, how did you decide you were going to pay a visit to Maggie Inc. here in Boston and become a model?

Olivia: I heard about it through various friends in Rhode Island that are also with Maggie Inc. and specifically Cory Martin. I modeled a little in Rhode Island and for Andrea Valentini which is a bag company - she actually makes really nice bags, you should check it out. I decided it was something I wanted to get into and I heard of Maggie and I met with them and the rest is history!

Olivia walking down Newbury St.   Photo: Me

Gilda: Sometimes your modeling Ads pop up randomly while I'm browsing the web. Tell me about some of the cool jobs you've had so far.

Olivia: (giggles) Umm, cover of Stuff was really cool. Keurig coffee makers was funny being that I'm only 18 years old! I had to pretend that I was the wife of this 40 year old guy that I was modeling with in a kitchen....yea, so that was cool (haha). There was one of me on the couch holding coffee and one of me and my 'husband' making coffee together. It'll be out soon. Karmaloop is a big one. I was in the Boston Herald for Spring Fashion. I was also in Scene Magazine...and aside from that, I'm also doing a little acting.

Follow Olivia!  Photo: Me

Gilda: I've always wondered if models were able to keep some of the accessories or clothes from a shoot. Are there any sweet perks like that when you're on the cover of a cool magazine?

Olivia: Hmmm...you would think that you'd be able to keep a lot more than you do. I've gotten a few free things but for the most part, no. Retail is really stingy. I mean, I get a sweet discount but the people that are taking my pictures are working for people that are working for other people...and so on so they have no say on what I can keep. Hey, I get a discount!

Champagne & cupcakes at French Connection  - Photo: Me

Don't Drink and Shop!  Photo: Me

Gilda: So you moved to Boston for school (shout out to Boston University), have you discovered any new stores that you love or gathered any fashion ideas/tips from Bostonians ....or is Boston just not any cooler than Rhode Island and you're tired of comparing (lol)?








Olivia: No, oh my God, it's soo much cooler here! Umm, people in Boston are a lot more cold but I would never say that out loud (haha). I guess it's because people from RI are all Christian, Italian and related to each other! Ok, so, my absolute favorite store in the world is Intermix but I can't afford anything in there! Lf I love but sometimes their stuff is overpriced but I love their half off sales though. Umm, Pinkyotto..love them.

Olivia checking out the sale.   Photo: Me

Gilda: Who or what inspires your style? What do you look to for inspiration? (Magazines, online, Icon, family member...etc.)

Olivia: I really like,...have you ever been to Singer 22?  It's a website. A really cool website that categorizes celebrities so you can click on a celebrity and see what their look is and it's really interesting. I really like Kim Kardashian (Olivia later decided that she was more of an Olivia Palermo. I couldn't agree more). I mean, not really into her whole like lifestyle and I definitely don't have the ass but...yea, I like her style.

Olivia appreciates the darker tones.  Photo: Me

 Gilda: Give us a virtual tour of your closet. What do we see and what should we expect?

Olivia: Okay, expect a lot of dark colors. Tons of boots...preferably over the knee. A lot of big sweaters, kind of like the LF flowy ones. I really like button ups and Oh, I'm obsessed with American Apparel. It's what I'm wearing right now...it's a leotard and people are always like, how do you pee in it but it's soo easy (haha). It's really comfortable and the back goes down really low which I love. I also love Pleasure Doing Business skirts. It's a cool brand. You HAVE to put that in your blog! (giggles) But yea, my closet is fairly neat. I try to keep my shoes organized. I have plastic little thingies for each shoe. This is my dorm closet, btw, but it's pretty much the same at home.

Olivia has great taste, eh?  Photo: 

Gilda: What trends do you hope never fade?

Olivia: That's a good question. Probably the button up, blousy shirts. Definitely don't want to see the over-the-knee boots go! The new high-wasted trend...don't want that to go away.

Gilda: What personal fashion advice would you offer to all of the aspiring fashionistas out there?

Olivia: Get out of your comfort zone. Test out new colors, especially with lipstick, I looove Mac Morange right now. It's like coral-y, very orange-red. Definitely bold colors. Yellow, red...Love it!!

(Olivia's outfit: Black jacket - Michael Kors, American Apparel black leotard, boots from a boutique in Milan, black Cynthia Rowley bag, Alice & Olivia jeans, tan Leith sweater from Nordstroms)

ImproperBostonian, Summer Ad

Gilda: A little birdie told me you auditioned for a role in a movie with Mark Wahlberg. What did you have to do?

Olivia: I tried out for a karaoke scene, a waitress, a hooker (haha). For my hooker deal I wore a Pleasure Doing Business skirt, a loose cropped Patterson shirt that made me look bustful, and pumps (giggles). They made me talk with a Boston accent (she let me hear it...Pretty good for a Rhode Islander). So far, I've been called back twice. I really hope that everything works out. (since our meeting, Olivia has officially started rehearsing for a role in the movie, TED. Stay tuned!).

ImproperBostonian, Summer Ad

Gilda: Vintage or Modern?

Olivia: Modern.

Gilda: Wedge or Pump?

Olivia: PUMP!

Gilda: Fall-wear or Summer-wear?

Olivia: Summer.

ImproperBostonian, Summer Ad

Gilda: Vogue or Nylon?

Olivia: Vogue.

Gilda: Fashion Don't?

Olivia: I hate WHITE BOOTS!

Gilda: Fashion Do?

Olivia: Stick to clothing you feel comfortable in!